The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-09-16
SELECT STORY.
A BACHELORS REWARD.

ihiuot VI u uCcp tcNCiOs
1t was seldom that he was idle, as
he was at the present time, but thus
evening the memories of the past came
aockipg upon him like ghosts from an
other land.
John Steele was bachelor of forty.
He had been born and reared poor
boy, in the little town of M, and
had never felt desire to leave it. He
had studied law and plodded along
year after year in the dingy grimy
Office, in which we find him now, aud
had grown rich. He had no personal
friends, and lived alone in large old
frame house at the outskirts of the town
with man servant as cook and gener-
al man Of all. work.
Years and years before, when a
young man of twenty, poor and aim
less, Steele had loved girl whose par
ents would not let her marry him be-
canse he was so worthless. In his rage
he blamed her for this and would listen
to no reason, and from that day had
hated women and had led a solitary
life. 1t was this scene that now held
John Steele in his Office chair, as the
mantle Of night gathered over the
town.
"More than twenty years ago." he
unused, "and | don't believe have ever
spoken TO a woman, except on business
since that day. They say she married
no account wretch after all, who has
sunk down to poverty and want Well,
well, l must not waste time thinking
about such things now. l was only a
boy then, and did not know what /
wanted. l must be going" Where
upon he arose, buttoned his coat about
him, locked his Office and trudged on
his homeward journey.
Rumor had it about town that al.
though by her parents influence, Katie
Drew had married shortly after her re-
fusal of Steele, that she had loved him
dearly. This was most likely true, but
as twenty years had past, the matter
had faded from the general mind to
give way to more lively gossip.
Steele ate his supper in silence
William, his man. of-all-work, had &
very good meal prepared for, though
Steele was close listed he believed il
good clothes and comfortable living.
"Now, William" said Steele, when
he had finished "if you fix me ul
enough food to do me tomorrow, you
may have holiday. And here is your
money and five dollars to have time
with. No holiday for me dom
need any and don't want any
"Thank you, Mr.. Steele, for you
goodness" said William. "But, Mr.
Steele, don't you never take any littl'
extra pleasure at all? You know
used to know you when you was
little fellow and can remember see
ing your good mother holding you VI
at the old church so you could see thu
Christmas tree. And you was a we'
little tod then, and you clapped you
little hands in glee and your mothe
would kiss your baby face and tall
baby talk to you. 1t don't seem lik
that was near forty years ago, MI
Steele, but it was
"Confound the fellow" grumble
Steele, as he sat down in his room tina
night to read. "If l should listen t
him he would upset me. I don't knoy
what is the matter with me this even
ing, anyhow. never felt SO queer i
my life | guess l am using too mucl
tobacco of late"
He read until bedtime, and was i
the act of taking off his boots, when b
heard knock at the front door.
"Wonder who that is," he though
"Something unusual at this place"
: He listened a moment and ther
came another knock.
"What the deuce can that Willial
be doing that he don't 60 to the door
said Steele. 81 want to 60 to bed, an
= it may be some one that wants me.
To borrow money, l guess. Wei
unless they good security, not Gel
II do they get"
Q At this juncture William opened tf
door. Steele heard an indistinct co
versation, and then William conducts
the visitor to the kitchen. After son
moments William came walking in
the room.
q "Well, what is it 7"
"Excuse me, Mr.. Steele, but there
a poor woman in the kitchen wi
needs some help badly. I'm sure 81
10 does, for she don't look as commt
beggar. She says she has Wake
through the cold all the way from Il
last town, and is most dead"
"Yes, that is whav they all say. Gi'
her something to eat and send her on
''But wish you would come and S
|, her.
"Bothel these beggars," mumbl'
Steele. "But | guess pll go down
get rid of her"
IA Steele saw black figure sitting
u the fire.
"Well," he said to her, when
entered, "what can ! do for you 7"
She turned toward him. Her ia
70 was not that of beggar. Although
e. trife pale, it was the face of
st pretty woman of thirty five.
N 81 only wished to get warm,' S
said:
, 81 was 30 cold that / felt as if
' should freeze. / am sorry to distu
you. have friends in the town, al
am sure ! can get employment of sor
kind there. l used to live there yea
n and years ago.
Y BY means of a few questions
" learned that she was widow, witho
any relations in the world. He "
deeply touched by her story.
"What was your husbands name
asked Steele.
"Carter," she said "George Carte
"Wait here a moment" he said a
went up to his room.
|e He went to his desk and took G
- some money.
OF 81 SO seldom give" said he, "and c
cd afford to be liberal to this poor woma
He took two ten-dollar bills and sta
ed back to the kitchen.
"She said her name was Cart
Carter-Carteri Where have hes
what Garter! My God {! That v
the name of her husband. She 81
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